Method of and apparatus for determining bleeding time



March l0, 1942. A. L. coPLEY ETAL 2,276,021

METHOD oF AND APPARATUS Fon DETERMTNTNG BLEEDING TIME Filed April 24, 1941 f? INVENTOR;

ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. l0, 1942 UNITEB STATE. .P 'f..

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR DETER- MINING BLEEDING TIME Alfred L. Copley, Kansas City, Kans., and Joseph J. Lalich, Kansas City, Mo.

Application April 24, 1941, Serial No. 390,142

(Cl. 12S-2) 7 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in the method of Aand apparatus Vfor determining bleed-V ing time and has for `its principal object the method and means for determining the bleeding time of a human while the wound is irnmersed in a solution which is maintained at a substantially uniform, pre-determined temperature.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of the method and means for measuring the bleeding time of a human while the wound is immersed in an illuminated solution maintained at a substantially constant temperature.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an apparatus comprising an eiiicient and adjustable means whereby the bleeding time of a human may be observed while the wound is immersed in an illuminated solution which is maintained at substantially a pre-determined uniform temperature.

Other objects are simplicity and economy oi construction, ease and accuracy of operation and adaptability for use with any portion of the human body during a bleeding operation.

With these as well as other objects which will appear during the course of the specification, in View, reference will now be had to the drawing wherein Figure l is an elevational view, partly broken away, of an apparatus for determining bleeding time, embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus; and

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic View of the electric circuit.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts the numeral I designates a base member preferably made of an electric insulating material and a material that will resist relatively high temperatures. A vertically disposed opening I2 extends through base I0 and is provided adjacent its top with inwardly disposed projections I4 which serve to support a transparent beaker or container I6 in which is deposited a suitable solution I8.

A heater 2i) is positioned in base I directly beneath container I6. The heater shown is an electric heater of the commercial type having a resistance coil 22, and is made of annular form so as to provide an opening 24 through which light from lamp 26 is directed through the bottom of container I6 to illuminate the solution I8 contained therein. The reector 28 carried by the closure 30 for opening I2 reflects the lamp light to the solution.

Extending upwardly from base E0 is a body member support 32 having a section 34 hinged at 36 for movement to and from a position in said container. A human hand H is shown in the operative position on support 32 for a bleeding operation. To support other body members for bleeding tests it is apparent that the shape and size of the apparatus will necessarily be altered to accommodate the particular part.

A thermo electric switch 38 which opens when' a predetermined temperature is reached, is mounted in the hinged support section 34 and is adapted to be immersed in the solution being heated. A suitable thermometer lill carried by section 34 will'indicate the temperature of the solution during the bleeding operation.

A recess d2 is formed in base I0 to receive the light bulb 4d which when lighted directs light rays through window Q6.

Reference will now be had to the diagrammatic view shown in Fig. 3 wherein i8 .and l5KB designate electric supply line wires. One end of the heating coil 22 is connected to linel wire 5!) through wire 52 having a switch 5d and the other end thereof is connected to one terminal of temperature controlled switch 38 through wire 56 having a lamp 44 in series therewith. The other terminal of switch 38 is connected by wire 58 to line wire 49.

The solution illuminating lamp 26 is connected by wire to wire53 and by wire 62 to wire 52 so that as long as switch .543 is closed it will be illuminated. Y

The thermo electric switch 38 is of the type which may be opened when a pre-determined temperature of the solution in which it is' immersed, is reached. Such a switch is clearly disclosed in U. S. Patent No. V2,090,407.

The solution I8 normally used in the bleeding test is an isotonic solution in which the proper amount of sodium chloride is present to keep the blood in its substantially normal physiological condition. Hypotonic or hyperto-nic solutions might also be used, furthermore other substances might be used to shorten or prolong the bleeding time or to meet certain requirements which may appear under abnormal conditions.

In the use of this 'method and apparatus it is convenient to show an 4apparatus suitable 'for use when the bleeding is from the human nger.

The apparatus is placed at rest on a support so that the severed capillaries of the ringer at at the wound W will be substantially in horizontal alignment with the patients heart so as to eliminate venous hemodynamic pressure. If it becomes necessary to make the bleeding test with the wound and heart out of horizontal alignment then the gravity corrections can be made by simple calculations.

The bleeding test may be carried out in the following manner. The container is substantially lled with an isotonic saline solution and positioned in the operative position in base l0. Switch 54 is closed to light lamps 26 and 44 and to furnish current to heater coil 22. When the temperature of the solution has reached the predetermined temperature, preferably the normal human body temperature, then the thermo con.- trolled switch 38 will operate to cut off the current to lamp 44 and heater coil 22. Should the temperature of the solution drop an objectional amount the switch 38 will automatically operate to close the circuit to again light lamp 44 and energize the coil 22. The finger is cleaned with alcohol and immersed in the warmed solution for a few minutes until it is of substantially the same temperature as the solution. The finger is temporarily removed from the solution and the blood capillaries are severed by lancing or by cutting away a portion o f the skin. The linger is now immersed in the Warm solution. The blood B, due to its specic gravity, will normally move downwardly to the bottom of the container and due to its color will be readily visible through the illuminated saline solution.

The operator can take an accurate reading of the time period that ellapses between the severing of the capillaries and the stopping of the blood flow, by meansof a stop watch. When the wounds are inilicted by means of a lancet, the lancet blade of a denite size, usually 2 mm. x 6 mm., is used so as to obtain substantially the same bleeding surfaces. It is considered more accurate to sever the blood capillaries by removing a small section of the skin.

While this method and apparatus is used to determine human bleeding time, yet it is apparent that it may also be used for determining the bleeding time when the pneumatic culi with varying pressure is employed; the eiect of various fluids and solutions on the bleeding time; testing the fragility of the blood cells; and to test coagulation of the blood.

When it is desired to obtain tests from other portions` of the body it is evident that this can be accomplished by making the necessary changes in the supporting and immersing both so as to conform to the particular shape of the body parts.

Having thus describedthe invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. The method of determining the bleeding time of a human comprising severing capillaries of a human body member to cause bleeding, immediately immersing said exposed capillaries in a solution maintained at substantially the temperature of said body member, then measuring the time period from the severing of said capillaries to the instant the blood flow stops as indicated in said solution.

2. The method of measuring the bleeding time of a human comprising immersing a human body member in an illuminated isotonic, saline solution maintained at substantially the temperature of said body member, severing blood capillaries of said body member to cause bleeding, then measuring the time period from the severing of said capillaries to the instant the blood flow from said severed blood capillaries stops as indicated in said solution.

3. The method of measuring the bleeding time of a human comprising immersing a human body member in an illuminated saline solution maintained at substantially the same temperature as that of said body member, severing blood vessels in said body member to cause bleeding, then measuring the duration of time from the severing of said blood capillaries to the time the blood ceases to flow therefrom.

4. The method of determining the bleeding time of 'a human comprising immersing a human body member in a transparent receptacle containing an isotonic saline solution maintained at substantially the human body temperature, directing a relatively strong light through said saline solution, severing blood vessels in said body member within said solution, then measuringthe time period between the severing said blood vessels and the instant the blood flow from said severed blood vessels stops.

5. An apparatus for determining the bleeding time of a human comprising a base, an open top transparent container removably carried by said base, a body member support carried by said base having a hinged section adapted to be moved to and from a position in said container, heating means for heating a solution in said container, a lamp positioned below said transparent container to illuminate the solution contained therein, and means controlled by the temperature of said solution to regulate said heating means to maintain said solution at a substantially constant pre-determined temperature.

6. An apparatus for determining the bleeding time of a human comprising a base, 'an open top transparent container carried by said base having a movable support carried by said base having a movable section to be adjusted to and from a position above said container, heating means for heating a solution in said container, a lamp positioned in said base below said transparent container whereby light is directed upwardly through said solution, and means controlled by the temperature of said solution to regulate said heating means whereby the temperature of said solution is maintained at a substantially constant pre-determined temperature.

7. An apparatus for determining the bleeding time of a human comprising a base, an open top transparent container carried by said base, a body member support carried by said base having a movable section to be adjusted to and from a position above said container, a ring-shaped heating means for heating a solution in said container positioned below said container, a lamp positioned in said base below said heater whereby light is directed therethrough and upwardly through said solution, and means controlled by the temperature of said solution to regulate said heating means whereby the temperature of said solution is maintained at a substantially constant pre-determined temperature.

ALFRED L. COPLEY. JOSEPH J. LALICH. 

